Odense: In the Footsteps of Andersen

In the heart of Denmark lies a little yellow house in the town of Odense, home to one of the world’s oldest literary museums. Within those walls, you might catch the very soul of fairy tales—and even a brief visit can reconnect you with your inner child. This was once the home of Hans Christian Andersen, making it the perfect starting point for a journey through the places he lived, loved, and wove into the magical settings of his stories.

So where are we, exactly? Tucked away like a rare pearl in the lush heart of Funen—the country’s second-largest island—Odense sits just thirty minutes from Copenhagen. The Great Belt Bridge links it to Zealand, but you can also reach this land of Odin via the Jutland mainland. One of Denmark’s oldest urban centres, Odense celebrated its thousand-year anniversary in 1988. During the Middle Ages it was a pilgrimage destination thanks to St Canute’s Cathedral—one of the nation’s finest Gothic churches, housing the remains of its patron saint and, since 1521, the tomb of King John. In the 19th century, the town also served as a key hub for political affairs.

The best time to visit this near-fairy-tale town is from spring through early autumn, when the weather is at its mildest. Yet Odense offers delights year-round. Stroll its narrow lanes lined with timber-framed houses that once belonged to medieval guilds. Today, commerce thrives: Odense boasts a busy river port and a diverse industrial sector—metallurgy, electrical engineering, textiles, food production, tobacco, and paper—all vital to the region’s economy.

Odense is also a cultural hotspot. Every August it hosts the International Film Festival OFF—so named since 1975 for its boundary-breaking spirit. Experimental short films find a welcoming platform where culture and discovery meet, and events spill beyond the screen. In the Brandts district, the festival’s neighbourhood, debates, conferences, workshops, and concerts animate the streets and engage audiences of all ages.

The zoo is home to more than 2,000 animal species—from African antelopes to Siberian tigers, macaques to red pandas, rare tapirs to giant manatees. It’s a unique chance to see exotic—and not-so-exotic—creatures all in one place, delighting visitors both young and old.

Harry Potter devotees have an unmissable date: the Magic Day Festival in October. With schools closed, fans of the Boy Who Lived gather—thanks to the National Library—to experience an otherworldly adventure where imagination sets the rules.

September in Odense means beer. The annual Beer Day celebration is an unbreakable tradition of steins and tokens, soon followed by the revamped Food Festival. Here, producers of Denmark’s culinary specialties showcase their finest creations in restaurants and on city streets, tempting even the most discerning palates.

August also draws crowds of 100,000 to the Odense Plant Festival, featuring 180,000 plants, flowers, and vegetables displayed seasonally. And it’s the month to rediscover medieval Odense: Vikings and knights, drums and flutes, transport visitors back in time to a vivid living history.

Throughout May, the Viking Market returns with Iron Age battles and blazing ovens, while June and August focus on “Tales by the River”—boat trips that evoke Andersen’s spirit as you drift along the water. In the park dedicated to him, a colourful parade brings his best-loved stories to life through performances brimming with creativity.

Andersen’s Birthday, April 2nd, is marked by free shows. In August, the Andersen Festival offers guided tours, theatrical productions, street art, and more—a blend of folklore and modernity celebrating the author and his legacy. Finally, in December, his characters step out of fairy tales and into Christmas, surrounded by jugglers, acrobats, carousels, and barrel organs—a dazzling spectacle that captures the imagination.

See also: Getting Married in Autumn